Misa Malawi condemns journalists attack during HRDC demo
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter has condemned the physical and indecent assault of two journalists, Golden Matonga of Nation Publications Limited and Gladys Nthenda of Kulinji Media by some demonstrators during protests organized by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) in Lilongwe.
During the demonstrations on Wednesday, September 18 2019, the demonstrators tore Nthenda’s clothes and also stole a mobile phone and a wallet belonging to Matonga, accusing the two journalists of being government spies.
“It is very unfortunate that the assault on Matonga and Nthenda did not stop even after the two duly displayed their professional identity cards. Both Matonga and Nthenda were left traumatized and were unable to complete their duties,” Misa-Malawi charperon Teresa Ndanga said in a statement seen by Nyasa Times.
The media watchdog applauded the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) soldiers who intervened and helped rescue the two scribes.
Misa- Malawi, which is also a human rights advocacy body, condemns in strongest terms the conduct of some of the protesters , saying it believes that all human freedoms and rights, including the right to demonstrate, should be exercised with responsibility.
“We therefore expect demonstrators to exercise their right to demonstrate while recognizing the existence of other rights and freedoms such as media freedom, which is enshrined in the Republican Constitution and nobody has the right to take the same away from journalists.
“Creation of a hostile environment for journalists by demonstrators is uncalled for and the organizers of these demonstrations must decisively deal with such barbaric acts. Journalists should be provided with a conducive environment to perform their duties all the time,” reads the statement.
Nonetheless, the media watchdong advised journalists to ensure that they are in identifiable clothing all the time as they cover any event that has potential of putting their lives at risk.
It said journalists who do not have such clothing are encouraged to make an inquiry with MISA Malawi secretariat on the availability of media vests.
akuchitani bwino agulugunyinda inu! ma demo kumachita kunenerera ngati mpira?! mwina muona polekera
No pain No gain awa anari ma spy a boma so every where in the world the spy know the price of spying othe people’s secret
Why not condem the organizer for failing to organize and force him to re-sign.Any bad thing done by anybody at all the blame goes to the party or head of state yet the head of state was not there.What more with someone in miltary attire leading . You have not mentioned and blamed the organizer??????????????????
atolankhaniwa amenenyedwe ndithu ndiomwe akukolezera lawlessness . apa ayankhulapo chifukwa chiani? yet you have been castigating government which wanted to protect everyone from this.
MOST OF THESE ARE A BUNCH OF THIEVES!!! GOOD THAT THE MEDIA NOW ACCEPTS THAT EXERCICE OF HUMAN RIGHTS SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHILST RECOGNISING THE EXISTENCE OF OTHER RIGHTS!!! GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CALLED FOR PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS BUT THE SAME MEDIA CASTIGATED THE CALLS!!! NOW BECAUSE THEY HAVE TURNED VIOLENT THEY NOW NOTICE THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACEFULLNESS!!! ITS A SHAME!!!!
Walira mvula walira matope! Neither is it right to burn property of innocent people and you the media (MISA) are suing Macra for banning live demo coverage. I guess MACRA was right. in fact they were protecting you against these demons!
Ndanga, you can see the effects of supporting fools. You can be attached as long as you are not on your side.
Were they wearing something that they could easily identified? That could be the issue……and they need to do that all the time. They should not assume that people will know, Otherwise anthu pano ndi nkhalamo.
Kkkkkkk now the media has felt the pain caused by the demo idiots. These demo idiots have no loyalty except to looting and violence. I hope they will manhandle mtambo one day so that he too feels it and knows it. Then as usual MDF will rescue him